How To: Spot Basal Cell Carcinoma

At 39 years old, I find myself facing treatment for a cancer that is pretty much preventable. Of course, the prevention had to occur years ago to be of benefit now; but as a preteen and teen, heck even a 20 & 30-something, I was much too vain and worried about getting that "healthy glow" to seriously consider the consequences. I poo-pooed the warnings about too much sun exposure. I didn't believe it could ever happen to me.

But it did--basal cell carcinoma, that is. Now I am on a one-woman mission to educate the masses about basal cell carcinoma. This cancer used to be seen mostly in elderly men; however, my age group (35-45) and gender are seeing significant increase in basal cell carcinoma. What's the big deal about that since it is treatable, doesn't metastasize, and is not life-threatening? Here's the big deal. Basal cell carcinoma can be disfiguring. It can recur again in the same treated area and once you have one, you'll probably get more, just in different locations (already happened to me). There also happens to be a form called morpheus basal cell carcinoma that can be quite invasive. And if those things are not a big enough deal, basal cell carcinoma can increase your chances of developing melanoma, which can metastasize and be life-threatening.

So, what to do? First assess your risk. And in my best attempt at channelling Jeff Foxworthy, here is my list of "You Might be at Risk"

• If you think the Oompa-Loompa's and Snookie are role models for tan skin, you might be at risk.
• If your definition of "SPF" is baby oil without idodine, you might be at risk.
• If you have a loyalty rewards card for the tanning salon, you might be at risk.
• If you think the hours between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. are the best hours to be in the sun, you might be at risk.
• If you have blond hair, blue eyes, and relatively fair skin, you might be at risk. This also pertains to those fair-skinned, green-eyed redheads.
• And finally, if you think there is such thing as a "healthy tan", you are probably at risk for getting basal cell carcinoma.

Now that you have assessed your risk, get out the mirror and become obsessive about checking over your skin. The Skin Cancer Foundation has some great pictures showing basal cell carcinomas.

Mine that was biopsied wasn't exactly classic because it wasn't ever an open sore or area that just didn't appear to heal. It did, however, definitely have a waxy or pearly white appearance

Look carefully at the side of my nose and you will see a little white dot--that's the cancer.



Another closer-up view of the cancer--it is about mid-frame. If I were a better graphics person I would have drawns arrows, but I don't know how.


If you notice something, make an appointment with a dermatologist. Of course, start with your primary healthcare provider first, if that is what your insurance company requires. But get checked out. And if you have a bump that looks like mine and the doctor tells you it is "sebaceous hyperplasia", don't wait 10 months to get it biopsied. Insist that they do it right then.

I've learned my lesson. This up-coming trip to Florida and this summer are going to be hard as I learn to adopt a new lifestyle. A lifestyle that will go from religious sun-worship with minimal SPF to a more conservative approach to enjoy the sun; I'll be wearing a hat, SPF 50 (gasp), and probably more long-sleeves. But hey, I figure if I can learn to eat gluten-free and make that lifestyle change out of necessity, I can also make this lifestyle change out of necessity.

Finally, please spread the word about basal cell carcinoma and its increasing rates, particularly in the 20-40 age group. Encourage SPF wearing among your teen-agers. And for heaven's sakes, do NOT let teen-agers use tanning beds! England just passed regulations prohibiting use by those younger than 18.